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Dianna's and The Depot remain open

Federal authorities said they have no plans to shut down three local restaurants whose owners were indicted Monday on federal charges related to tax evasion and money smuggling.

Armed agents from U.S. Homeland Security, Border Patrol and other federal agencies swarmed the Gonos family’s $671,000 Crosstree Lane home in Sandusky Monday morning. Five of the family members were later booked into the Lucas County jail on charges of conspiracy to structure financial transactions to evade filing currency transaction reports and conspiracy to structure financial transactions to evade filing Form 8300.

Those indicted are Haralambos Gonos, 52; Andreas Gonos, 28; Chris Gonos, 31; Kryiakos Gonos, 30; and Sofia Skoura, 52. All five posted bond just hours after they were indicted.

The Register made several attempts to get the family’s side of the story Tuesday, but Haralambos’ 17-year-old son said he doesn’t think his father wants to talk.

The family owns the Dianna’s Deli restaurants in Perkins Township and Port Clinton, as well as the Depot Family Restaurant in Sandusky.

They’re accused of making multiple cash deposits of less than $10,000 each, over a period of years, to avoid federal laws that require certain reporting on banking transactions. According to the indictment, filed in U.S. Northern District Court in Toledo, the government is now trying to seize about $1.5 million in assets from the family.

Haralambros and Skoura were also indicted on an additional charge of conspiracy to engage in bulk cash smuggling. When U.S. Customs agents stopped the pair in January at Detroit Metro Airport, they were headed to Amsterdam carrying about $14,800 between the two of them, according to the indictment. Federal law requires travelers inform customs agents if they’re carrying more than $10,000.

The indictment accused the family members of depositing amounts of less than $10,000 into bank accounts from 2007 to 2009, as well as more than 200 deposits at various banks since 2005, totaling more than $1.8 million in cash.

Michael Tobin, a spokesman for the U.S. Department of Justice, said investigators have no plans to close down any of the restaurants owned by the family.

As of Tuesday, both Diana’s Deli restaurants and the Depot Family Restaurant were still open for business.

Comments

luvblues2

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 6:39am

They have nothing over the man who owns RT 250 in Perkins.

anthras

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 1:06pm

luv

Were you alluding to drug comments or the money comments? In either case I do feel that you should present your evidence to the proper authorities.

If you do not have any proof then that is just gossip and rumors which are very irresponsible , inflammatory and also very immature

luvblues2

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 6:19pm

I know of what I speak of because I have seen it first hand. You, anthras, must know whom I speak of because I didn't name anyone. I know how money works. And it's both drugs and money + corruption.

Edit: PS. It's also a safety issue. Not only for employees and contractors, but for tourists as well.

beatstreet

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 6:46am

If reporting of deposits doesn't happen under $10,000, how did the government know about the deposits?

beatstreet

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 6:47am

If reporting of deposits doesn't happen under $10,000, how did the government know about the deposits?

BW1

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 11:48am

They audit bank records looking for patterns. When it comes to your money, the Fourth Amendment is what the FBI uses to wipe their backsides.

Mr Kilbourne

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 12:36pm

Not really. All of the Currency Transaction Report (CTRs) are sent to the IRS from the bank. The Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act requires all banks to do this.

There are also Monetary Instrument Logs (MIL) that they will use to catch. Regardless of what you try to do, the government will know with a combination of these tools.

Mr Kilbourne

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 12:31pm

Banks are required to file suspicious activity reports (SAR)regardless of the dollar amount about transactions "that are or appear to be suspicious".

Source FinCEN.gov

FlyBoy86

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 6:26pm

Thank you! I've been saying all along that FinCen Form 105 is where they are being dinged for having cash at the airport.

bobshumway92

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 7:00am

Greeks are known to raise the finest sheep and goats in the world.

richrs

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 9:32am

Gee Bob, sounds like you're looking for a girlfriend. ;)

The Big Dog's back

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 3:57pm

HAahahahah.

huronguy

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 7:27am

The bank probably alerted the IRS, they are trained to spot and tell on these things.

Unassumer

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 8:25am

It was something like 200 deposits over a period of years. I know I have made over 200 deposits of less than $10,000 over the last few years. Am I guilty too? I think someone is trying to railroad this family and get them in trouble. I frankly don't think they did anything wrong.

Think Deeper

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 8:41am

If you pay your taxes why shouldn't they have to pay theirs?

deertracker

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 8:48am

Why would anyone want to railroad an entire family? There has to be more to this story!

SamAdams

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 9:19am

I agree. There's GOT to be more to this story! How does making deposits under $10,000 necessarily equate to "tax evasion?" If they did, indeed, do things they shouldn't do to avoid paying taxes, then I'm all for prosecution and payment. But this nonsense about making deposits is just that.

Meanwhile, I deplore the very notion that bank employees would report somebody for making perfectly legal deposits based on the hint of a suspicion or even less. Oh, I don't blame the folks working at the bank. The government has them over a barrel on that one because they face some pretty serious repercussions themselves if they FAIL to report such suspicions.

Meanwhile, I make deposits and withdrawals under $10,000 all the time (I only WISH I could make deposits larger than that!). So does that make ME guilty of something 'til proved innocent, too? Financial and tax laws are now SO complex and frequently contradictory that any one of us could find ourselves in a comparable situation whether we did anything wrong or not. And THAT'S where MY problem with this whole thing lies!

Ezmoneycfb

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 10:55am

Its not really that complex. When someone constantly makes deposits just under $10,000, they are attempting to avoid the govt. Its not that the deposits are under $10,000, its that they are consistent and JUST under $10,000 that raises suspicion.
Also, bank employees are required to report anything that seems suspicious. Clearly the Feds feel there is something worth moving on here, if they went to all this trouble already.

BW1

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 11:51am

Structuring charges don't require any intent to evade taxes or commit any other offense. Wanting the government to keep its nose out of your affairs is now a crime. The banks are more than willing to violate your privacy rights in order to cozy up to their bailout sugar daddy.

Krissy3

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 1:41pm

Yesterday it said deposits ranging 3-9.5k were made over a few years time. 3k is not even close to being just under 10k. Business owners generally deposit their cash and check sales daily. Of course they would have multiple deposits under 10k!

Mr Kilbourne

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 2:55pm

Into a BUSINESS account. Not personal. And the deposits wouldn't be structured.

BW1

Thu, 04/11/2013 - 12:03pm

"Structured" just means a pattern is observed. It's a crime to value privacy.

Krissy3

Thu, 04/11/2013 - 5:45pm

There are three separate businesses! Who said they were being deposited into their personal accounts? And as long as they are keeping proper books to report income to the IRS, what difference does it make whether the money is deposited into their personal accounts or a business account? I use money out of my personal account for business transactions all the time. I just keep a receipt and submit it to our bookkeeper!

Krissy3

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 1:38pm

Who said they aren't paying their taxes? Tax evasion isnt one of the charges they have been indicted for.

Mr Kilbourne

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 12:38pm

You're not guilty of anything if you're not trying to get around the reporting, which you can't do anyways. Taxes are a totally separate issue. If you're try to hide income from the IRS, then yes, you are doing something wrong.

BW1

Sat, 04/13/2013 - 4:55pm

No, you're doing something illegal. It's not the same thing.

nobodycares

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 8:48am

Man they must sell alot of sandwiches

mikel

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 9:14am

a question regarding the above statement (statement re-posted below): does the reporting have to be based on a per person amount or couple? it seems to me the times i went through customs they asked each of us individually not as a family.

"When U.S. Customs agents stopped the pair in January at Detroit Metro Airport, they were headed to Amsterdam carrying about $14,800 between the two of them, according to the indictment. Federal law requires travelers inform customs agents if they’re carrying more than $10,000."

candleburner

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 10:32am

It's individually and as a business Mikel. I went to Cancun recently and you have to fill out a form on the plane before you even land and it asks about what you're declaring and one of the questions is if you're carrying more than $10,000 in cash. I know I went with a group and the person sponsoring wanted to take their merchandise to sell in Cancun and wasn't able to because of this clause in the customs form.

mikel

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 10:52am

just what i thought. so, apparently, even though they had $14k between them one must have had more than the $10k otherwise this would not be a problem right?

just trying to figure this "smuggling" thing out.

BW1

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 11:53am

It's simple - capital is not allowed to move freely, and yet they say it's a free market economy.

Mr Kilbourne

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 12:39pm

Wrong, large amounts of cash leaving a country usually is a sign of terrorist funding or financing, or tax evasion.

Factitious

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 3:33pm

Greedy selfish people always complain about perfectly reasonable regulations. You can move the money, but you gotta report it. And you gotta pay your taxes. The People have a legitimate interest in knowing how much currency is moving in and out, and ensuring taxes get paid. Tax cheating is a big contributor to the federal deficit - like $3TRILLION in the last 10 years - and it's hurting all of us.

Mr Kilbourne

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 4:05pm

Well said!

bullydogs1971

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 9:27pm

guess it just doesn't sink in to your thick skull that our tax money funds CRIME! Do you have any idea that The IRS is a private, debt collection agency for the private banking system known as the Federal Reserve Bank....PRIVATE!!...THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN AUDITED, NOT EVEN BY OUR CONGRESS! i will never pay money to a government/private banking cartel that murders, steals, lies, and cheats the people of this great county every minute of every day and is never held accountable for its crimes against humanity....we spend more money on bombs and warplanes killing millions worldwide with senseless wars... then we tax business to death to where they leave and take all our good jobs to China and elsewhere......and before you reply with ignorance, do us all a favor and do an honest study of the federal reserve and its origins!! you do know how to use google right? just for you i will give you a great link to get you started on the path to the truth....we are all being lied to!

Here it is in a nutshell. The IRS is a private, debt collection agency for the private banking system known as the Federal Reserve Bank. The IRS is not a government agency. I repeat, the IRS is not a government agency. Never has been, never will be.

The IRS is formerly the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) situated in and with authority only in the Philippine Islands (Trust Fund # 61), and moved into Puerto Rico (Trust Fund # 62). In the 1950’s, with the stroke of the pen, the BIR was transformed into the current notorious IRS and brought onto the 50 united States. This was done without any Congressional authority whatsoever. There is no Congressional authority for the IRS to exist and operate in the 50 states recorded anywhere in any law-books. Again, keep in mind, that the IRS is the “Private, debt collection agency for the private banking system known as the Federal Reserve Banks”.

"Greedy selfish people"?
You mean hard working people who earned their OWN money instead of getting "paychecks" from the government? GASP! You must not have know that was possible, huh?

Find the real reason for the deficit and stop blaming people who want to keep THEIR money instead of redistributing it to low life scums.

BW1

Thu, 04/11/2013 - 12:06pm

Being greedy or selfish is not a crime, except in a marxist dictatorship.

BW1

Thu, 04/11/2013 - 12:06pm

"Tax cheating" is a drop in the bucket compared to all the handouts of which you're so fond.

BW1

Thu, 04/11/2013 - 12:04pm

It might be, but that doesn't change the fact that it's tyrannical control over the movement of capital.

pptrsha

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 9:16am

I always said we don't sell enough eggs to buy a benz!

looking around

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 9:31am

Moderators have removed this comment because it contained Personal attacks (including: name calling, presumption of guilt or guilt by association, insensitivity, or picking fights) and Remarks that discriminate based on age, race, religion, disability, etc..

looking around

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 1:04pm

Don't know how any of this is read into my post? I simply stated the facts of how these investigations have been launched and that other Greek families have also been indited for doing the same thing. Their direct connection to Greece and Greek banks is a fact. I'm sure other ethnic background people may be doing similar activity in sending money back to their country of origin. It just happens in this case to be Greeks. Their was no name calling, or presumption of guilt or guilt by association, insensitivity or picking of fights and Remarks that discriminate based on age, race, religion, disability, etc.. These were facts of the story and similarity to other Greek businessmen that as of late have become subjects of interest with authorities. Anyone that shows a lifestyle beyond visible means draws attention to themselves I don't care where you come from. In cases similar to these when accounts off shore indicate a greater source of income than reported at the origin of income bells and whistles sound and investigations are launched. Yes you are still Innocent until proven guilty but speculation is a form of free speech on these blogs.....I don't see those who speculate drug trade having their comments removed. Maybe the moderator was Greek and just didn't like the facts as stated by their own editors pertaining to the origin of this family.

looking around

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 1:15pm

Even Al Capone couldn't get away with it.....that's how they got him, Tax Evasion! Go ask the feds that are auditing the banks of Greece what they are finding in the personal accounts of Greeks doing business in the U.S. and depositing monies in Greek accounts.....the math don't add up in many cases and that's just a fact that has opened the doors for further investigation. As stated in the post that was removed....It's the tip of the iceberg!

BW1

Thu, 04/11/2013 - 12:08pm

Al Capone was a creature born of excessive government. Without Prohibition, an illegitimate effort to tell people what they could put in their own bodies, there would never have been a mafia.

looking around

Thu, 04/11/2013 - 8:57pm

Wasn't so much about alcohol as it was money.....

BW1

Fri, 04/12/2013 - 8:22am

The money was there to be made because of the ban on alcohol.

thinktwice

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 9:34am

I was thinking they wouldn't be shut down. If they did, the Gov't would lose even more money for the lack of new reported tax revenue. This should shake them up enough to empty their pockets. Make no mistake they paid tons of taxes over the three restaurants over the many years they operated, the Gov't would be at a loss to completely put them out. The Gov't now owns that family. Lesson: pay what you owe it's cheaper in the long run. The family will leave with a huge fine, court costs, and lots to repay, AND a felony record. All over non-payment of their fair share. Not sure why the Gov't doesn't catch this behavior and fine the company immediately? It's possible to get side tracked? If this was a baby factory with a drug abuse problem the Gov't would have PAID THEM to rehab and retrain them all while giving them support$...

tzu4u

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 9:44am

Big Brother is watching everything we do. There is no privacy in our computer age.

deertracker

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 10:20am

So true!

ducktown

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 10:08am

I don't see anything wrong with what they are doing. Each of us as a human know that we would do the same thing. As far as I'm concerned its their business if they only want to put $9000 in the bank at a time..

Darkhorse

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 11:08am

Big government is monitoring everything. You can't even make deposit and withdrawals anymore of your own money. What is this country coming to. There must be more to this story.

BW1

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 11:55am

No, there doesn't have to be more. That's the nature of the structuring laws - trying to keep your affairs private is a crime.

The Big Dog's back

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 4:00pm

Oh boo hoo. A civilized society has laws.

BW1

Thu, 04/11/2013 - 12:09pm

Yeah, poochie, the Soviets, Nazis, and Khmer Rouge had laws. I suppose their opponents were crybabies too.

looking around

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 11:14am

Anyone else think the mugshot of Haralambos looks similar to that of Saddam Hussein? LOL brothers by different mothers?

gene44870

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 11:33am

And to be honest with you all , there food at either place isnt all that great , so to think that they could make deposits like the ones in this staory in itself raises suspentions
I guess one would have to sit back and look at the whole piture to understand where the feds are coming from and then decide .

Crazy Girl

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 11:34am

So I guess they still have plenty of cash to be able to post all of that bail money within only a couple hours!! The article doesn't say that they were allowed to post the ten percent.

Roger15

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 11:43am

Encouraging to note that "Michael Tobin, a spokesman for the U.S. Department of Justice, said investigators have no plans to close down any of the restaurants owned by the family", since they have not been proven guilty of ANYTHING ! This whole mess may just be about civil "forfeiture" wherein the gov't doesn't even have to prove it's case anyway.

PerkinsVoter

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 12:22pm

How come all these armed raids after Obama took over.

Mr Kilbourne

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 12:42pm

Actually, a lot of the freedoms allowed by law enforcement agencies used in this case came about form the PATRIOT Act, which was a product of the Bush Administration. Not to mention they've probably been putting this case together for years. (Pre-2009)

BW1

Mon, 04/15/2013 - 12:08pm

Would that be the same legislation that was to expire under the current administration, and they decided to double down?

looking around

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 1:26pm

Maybe so we can get enough of these scofflaws to pay their share of taxes so us working stiffs on the grid all of our lives don't have to support it all. Might even to get a Perkins levy passed if everyone can save up and buy property here after paying taxes on their meager wages.

Julie R.

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 1:05pm

Too bad the FEDS don't investigate what the Erie County courts are helping these big billion dollar financial institutions get away with.

TuffNutts2011

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 1:18pm

I like this family and think they are good people. I don't give a shat what they do with the money long as they're not selling drugs.

laker1

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 1:24pm

If its not illegal to ntransfer mony under 10,000 withour reporting what law did the break? IN addition the government wants to take their real estate and personal property without being convicted of a crime we have arrived at Cuba and the old Soviet Union. 14 vehicles and many men with unlimited firepower seems excessive since there is no reports of violence. Maybe the chief law enforcement officer the Sheriff and a couple of deputies and a Federal agent could have done this. Whne we have this happening in our country, with millions crossing the south border and nothing is done,it seems we have arrived at a selective police state.

Firelandsobserver

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 1:36pm

Why can't a reporter just stick to the facts and not print non-sense like the exact value of the family's home and their sports cars? This type of journalistic reporting is only used to incite sensational outrage. A crime is a crime, just state the facts. I never read where the value of an armed robbers trailer is mentioned.

stayawake

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 1:46pm

This is a great family. I have had the privilege of knowing them for quite some time now & I would like to let everyone know that they are just normal people. They enjoy living a healthy lifestyle and spending time with family & friends.

I am disturbed by people calling them drug dealers and making accusations that they are doing something else that is illegal besides making a simple mistake on bank deposits for a 2 year period out of some 20 years of business.

These boys work their butts off at the restaurants. They work 7 days per week. Then when they aren't at work they are working out at the gym, playing sports & hanging with family and friends. These guys put their family and friends first and if more people lived like this the world would be a better place.

This article makes these kids look like they are greedy and selfish when really it is the opposite. They would give you the shirt off of their backs even if you were their worst enemy. Wake up and smell the roses people. Get to know these people instead of crucifying them first.

Best wishes to the Gonos family. You guys are great people and no one is perfect. None of these accusations can change the way that you care about your family & friends and for that you will always have my respect.

The Big Dog's back

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 4:05pm

Then why did they break the law?

tzu4u

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 4:30pm

Being accused of something and being found guilty are two different things.

bobshumway92

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 8:44pm

I know you are dying to call them Teabaggers.

The Big Dog's back

Thu, 04/11/2013 - 4:36pm

Just you scumway.

BW1

Thu, 04/11/2013 - 12:12pm

Poochie, why did Rosa Parks break the law?

deertracker

Thu, 04/11/2013 - 1:07pm

She did not break the law. She sat in the "proper" section but was still asked to get up so yt could sit down!

BW1

Fri, 04/12/2013 - 8:21am

Her refusal to do so broke the law. That is why she was arrested.

The Big Dog's back

Fri, 04/12/2013 - 4:27pm

I bet you miss the days of Jim Crow laws.

BW1

Sat, 04/13/2013 - 4:58pm

And poochie again demonstrates his 2nd grade reading comprehension. Why don't you try re-reading the conversation and figure out how idiotic your statement is, since the clear implication is that YOU miss them.

BW1

Mon, 04/15/2013 - 12:08pm

Still confused, poochie?

KURTje

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 2:15pm

Watch. Richard Jewel this isn't. Time will prove the truth.

sandusky2012

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 4:31pm

maybe the county can help them out after all they corrupt also

Firelandsobserver

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 5:21pm

Why should they close the restaurants??

Ned Mandingo

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 6:03pm

So far nothing described In these articles sounds like a crime.
Two people traveling with under ten grand each. LEGAL
A business owner making bank deposits. LEGAL
Why are homeland security and border patrol SS storm troopers raiding people's homes. Most likely constitutionally illegal!
Sounds to me like weak minded jealous federal agents found some good citizens to make their victims.
Before some one replies let me save you some time, no restaurant owners pay taxes on all their income. Unless they are stupid.

.

FlyBoy86

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 6:38pm

Two People traveling with an amount of more than $10,000.00 is illegal without declaring it. Please read FinCEN Form 105.

bullydogs1971

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 9:47pm

Want to really know the truth about the PRIVATE Federal Reserve Banking system...? Its even a cartoon so you should all love it! How many of you know they are printing money at the tune of over 80 billion dollars a month...out of thin air...just watch the video....or don't and just remain ignorant. Two parts!

Bully dog. Nobody is going to believe you, your crazy. That's not what CNN or MSNBC wants us to believe. Stop speaking the truth about the fed. It doesn't matter what is obvious, people are too busy worrying about left vs right or made up debates to see the truth.

bullydogs1971

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 10:51pm

or more worried about what the Kardashian girls are doing, and who J Beiber is doin...thanks btw...

tell it how it is

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 10:48pm

Everybody saying "it's the law!" blah blah blah..

It's THEIR money. This family did NOTHING wrong, unless you look at it from a liberal's point of view. Do all liberal wakos really not believe in hard work and an honest pay check? It would appear as though not.